ORTHOPEDIC STANDING AND WALKING AID

Abstract

An orthopedic standing and walking aid and a method of supporting a person with such an orthopedic standing and walking aid. The orthopedic standing and walking aid comprises a carriage which is displaceably mounted on a running rail, an approximately C-shaped frame suspended from the carriage by a suspension device and a saddle which is arranged on the shaped frame approximately in linear alignment below the suspension device. The orthopedic standing and walking aid can be distinguished by a spring element arranged in the area between the carriage and the saddle so that the saddle is elastically supported in the vertical direction. The orthopedic standing and walking aid may also be distinguished by a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the saddle, which has a height adjustment spring element which exerts an upward preload on the saddle. This height adjustment mechanism can be designed to be lockable with one hand by means of a locking unit.

Claims

1. An orthopedic standing and walking aid, comprising: a carriage which is displaceably mounted on a running rail in a longitudinal direction of the running rail, an approximately C-shaped frame suspended on the carriage by a suspension device, a saddle which is arranged on the C-shaped frame approximately in rectilinear alignment below the suspension device, the saddle having an elongate slim shape in such a way that a person sitting on the saddle can arrange his/her legs directed downwards laterally past the saddle, and a spring element which is arranged in a region between the carriage and the saddle so that the saddle is elastically supported in a vertical direction, wherein the running rail is mounted on a further rail arrangement so as to be displaceable transverse to the longitudinal direction of the running rail.

2. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the C-shaped frame is of elastic construction in such a way that the C-shaped frame forms the spring element.

3. An orthopedic standing and walking aid, comprising; a carriage which is displaceably mounted on a running rail in a longitudinal direction of the running rail, an approximately C-shaped frame suspended on the carriage by a suspension device, a saddle which is arranged on the C shaped frame approximately in rectilinear alignment below the suspension device, the saddle having an elongate slim shape in such a way that a person sitting on the saddle can arrange his/her legs directed downwards laterally past the saddle, and a spring element arranged between the suspension device and the C-shaped frame or between the saddle and the C-shaped frame so that the saddle is elastically supported in a vertical direction.

4. An orthopedic standing and walking aid, comprising; a carriage which is displaceably mounted on a running rail in a longitudinal direction of the running rail, an approximately C-shaped frame suspended on the carriage by a suspension device, a saddle which is arranged on the C-shaped frame approximately in rectilinear alignment below the suspension device, the saddle having an elongate slim shape in such a way that a person sitting on the saddle can arrange his/her legs directed downwards laterally past the saddle, and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a height of the saddle, said height adjustment mechanism comprising a height-adjusting spring element which exerts an upward preload on the saddle and a locking unit with which the height-adjusting spring element is lockable.

5. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 4, wherein the locking unit has an operating lever.

6. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 4, wherein the height adjustment mechanism is arranged in a region directly below the saddle.

7. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 4, wherein the height-adjusting spring element has a gas pressure spring.

8. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the suspension device comprises a swivel joint so that the frame is rotatably suspended.

9. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 1, further comprising an eye arranged on the standing and walking aid, wherein a person can be secured to the eye with a safety belt.

10. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 1, further comprising a fastening device on the C-shaped frame, by which at least one additional element selected from the group consisting of a hand bow, a backrest, a headrest, a leg support, a footrest and a holding device can be fastened to the C-shaped frame.

11. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the saddle is arranged on a pivot joint.

12. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 11, wherein the spring element has a spring constant of at most 10.sup.5 N/m.

13. A method for supporting a person with an orthopedic standing and walking aid, comprising: providing the orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 1; and arranging the orthopedic standing and walking aid or adjusting a height of the saddle in such a way that a person sitting thereon can touch a floor located under the orthopedic standing and walking aid with his/her feet, so that a first part of a body weight of this person is carried by the orthopedic standing and walking aid and a second part of the body weight is transferred to the floor.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising stimulating the person's leg muscles using electrical signals.

15. A vertical access aid, comprising: a roughly C-shaped frame suspended from a suspension device, a saddle which is arranged on the C-shaped frame approximately in rectilinear alignment below the suspension device, the saddle having an elongated slim shape in such a way that a person sitting on the saddle can arrange his/her legs directed downwards laterally past the saddle, and a guiding device for guiding the vertical access aid along a vertical wall.

16. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is arranged between the suspension device and the C-shaped frame or between the saddle and the C-shaped frame so that the saddle is elastically supported in the vertical direction.

17. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 3, further comprising a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting a height of the saddle, said height adjustment mechanism comprising a height-adjusting spring element which exerts an upward preload on the saddle and a locking unit with which the height-adjusting spring element is lockable.

18. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 4, wherein the saddle is arranged on a pivot joint.

19. The orthopedic standing and walking aid according to claim 18, wherein the spring element has a spring constant of at most 10.sup.5 N/m.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] The invention is explained by way of example in more detail below using the drawings in which:

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an orthopedic standing and walking aid according to the invention in a perspective view,

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the standing and walking aid according to the invention with additional elements compared to the first exemplary embodiment, and

[0056] FIG. 3 show an exemplary embodiment of a vertical access aid in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] An orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment includes [0058] a carriage 2 which is displaceably mounted, a suspension device 3 and an approximately C-shaped frame 4, which is attached to the carriage 2 by means of the suspension device. The C-shaped frame 4 is connected at one end to the carriage 2 by means of the suspension device 3. At the other end of the C-shaped frame 4, a saddle 5 is arranged whose seat surface faces upwards.

[0059] The C-shaped frame 4 is dimensioned such that the upper body of an adult person sitting on the saddle 5 is surrounded by the C-shaped frame 4. Preferably the C-shaped frame 4 is so large that the person's body does not touch it when the person is on the saddle 5. However, the C-shaped frame 4 can also be close to the person's body, so that the C-shaped frame does not take up much space and does not disturb other people.

[0060] The saddle 5 is approximately in a rectilinear, vertical alignment under the suspension device 3 or under the carriage 2.

[0061] The suspension device 3 has a spring element 6, which gives the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 elasticity in the vertical direction. Preferably the spring range and/or the spring stiffness of the spring element 6 is adjustable.

[0062] The suspension device 3 has a detachable connecting element 7 so that the C-shaped frame 4 can be detached from the carriage 2. The detachable connecting element 7 is, for example, an eye and a karabiner. The detachable connecting element 7 can be arranged in the area between the spring element 6 and the C-shaped frame 4 or in the area between the spring element 6 and the carriage 2.

[0063] Furthermore, the suspension device 3 is equipped with a pivot bearing 8 so that the C-shaped frame 4 can rotate freely in relation to a vertical axis. In the present exemplary embodiment, the pivot bearing 8 is designed as a ball bearing.

[0064] The saddle 5 is attached to the lower end of the C-shaped frame 4 with a height adjustment mechanism 9. The height adjustment mechanism 9 has a sleeve 10 connected to the C-shaped frame 4. A saddle post 11 is slidably mounted in the sleeve 10. The saddle 5 is attached to the upper end of the saddle post 11. The saddle post 5 is equipped with an operating lever 12, which can be swiveled back and forth between two positions, whereby in one position the saddle post 11 is fixed in the sleeve 10. In the other position, the saddle post 11 is freely movable in the sleeve 10. Below the saddle post 11, a gas pressure spring (not shown) is arranged, which applies a preload upwards to the saddle post 11. In the released position, the saddle post 11 is pushed upwards by means of the gas pressure spring. Such a height adjustment mechanism is known, for example, from DE 10 2014 002 189 A1.

[0065] The carriage 2 is mounted on a running rail 13 so that it can move in the longitudinal direction of the running rail 13. The running rail 13 is itself mounted on a further rail arrangement 14, which comprises two parallel rails, so that it can be displaced transversely to its longitudinal direction. This allows the carriage 2 to move freely in a plane which is defined by the rail arrangement 14.

[0066] The use of this orthopedic standing and walking aid is explained in more detail below:

[0067] A person sits down on the saddle 5 with his/her buttocks. This ensures that at least part of the body weight is transferred to the carriage 2 via the C-shaped frame 4 and the suspension device 3. Due to the load exerted by this person, the spring element 6 is deflected downwards a little.

[0068] The saddle 5 has an elongate slim shape, similar to a bicycle saddle, so that a person sitting on the saddle can arrange his/her legs directed downwards laterally past the saddle. This allows the person sitting on the saddle 5 to support himself or herself with his or her feet on a floor below the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1. The proportion of weight that is transferred to the carriage 2 via the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 depends on the extent to which the person rests on the ground and is freely selectable by said person. As the person can rest on the ground, the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 can move freely in the area of the rail arrangement 14 and rotate around the vertical axis as desired.

[0069] When the person moves within the available movement range, it cannot be avoided that the buttocks of the person sitting on the saddle are raised and lowered a little. By providing the spring element 6, the saddle 5 is elastically pressed upwards against the buttocks so that the saddle and thus the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 also follows a vertical movement of the person in a certain area. This ensures that contact with the saddle 5 is not lost and the person sitting on the saddle 5 can move freely, with the support by the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 being ensured even if slight vertical movements occur during the movement of the person. Therefore, it is not necessary for the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 to be provided with means with which the person sitting on it is attached to it.

[0070] Such means are only necessary if the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 is used for persons who do not have the necessary sense of balance to be able to stand freely or to maintain the posture on a saddle. All persons who have a minimal sense of balance can sit on the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 according to the invention without having to be attached to it.

[0071] The height adjustment mechanism 9 can be operated with one hand by the operating lever 12, which is located directly below the saddle 5. This allows the person sitting on the saddle 5 to adjust the height of the saddle 5 quickly and easily and thus reach different heights. Since the height adjustment mechanism 9 can be operated with one hand, the other hand is available to the person for other activities. The height adjustment range of the height adjustment mechanism 9 can be adapted to the individual movement requirements of the person. If the person is a warehouse worker who has to place goods on a storage shelf and remove them from it, a very large height adjustment range can be useful. If, however, the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 is used for therapeutic purposes, the height adjustment range must be selected such that the saddle can be adjusted to typical body heights.

[0072] FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1. Same elements are marked with the same reference signs. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the description of the first exemplary embodiment, which also applies to these elements, unless otherwise stated below.

[0073] The C-shaped frame 4 is provided with fastening means 15 to which additional elements can be attached. In this exemplary embodiment, the fastening means are through-holes so that collars 16, which also have corresponding through-holes, can be fixed to the frame 4 with a bolt. The bolt is preferably spring-loaded and equipped with a handle 17 so that it can be pulled at the handle 17 a little out of the collar 16 against the spring action, whereby the connection between the collar 16 and the frame 4 is released. The collar 16 can then be moved to any other position in which the corresponding through-holes are provided to accommodate the bolt.

[0074] With these collars, different elements can be fastened to the frame 4. These elements are preferably fastened to the collars 16 with a non-positive connection, such as a soldered or welded joint. These elements may be a hand bow 18, a headrest 19, a leg support 20, a footrest 21, a holding device 22 and/or an eye 23. A person, for example, can be fixed to the eye by means of a belt or a strap arrangement similar to a climbing harness.

[0075] The leg support has a somewhat bowl-shaped receptacle 24 to support the thigh or lower leg of a person using the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1, and a rigid linkage 25. The rigid linkage 25 preferably has joints, which are fixable, so that the position of the bowl-shaped receptacle 24 can be freely fixed in a certain area to support a thigh or lower leg.

[0076] The footrest 21 is similar to a stirrup and is attached to one of the collars 16 with an elastic band.

[0077] A backrest 26 may also be provided. In the present exemplary embodiment, the backrest 26 is attached to the same collar 16 as the hand bow 18. It is of course possible to arrange a backrest on a collar that is independent of the hand bow 18.

[0078] The C-shaped frame 4 can in principle be extended a little beyond the connection point of the saddle 5 or beyond the connection point of the suspension device 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the C-shaped frame 4 is extended with a section 27 beyond the connection point on the suspension device 3. This section 27 is provided with a holding device 22 to which a screen, tablet or other parts can be attached.

[0079] A cable winch 28 is provided at the free end of the section 27 with which loads can be lifted. This allows a person to easily move larger loads without damaging their own body. When such a load-bearing device is provided, it is advisable if the saddle 5 can be moved horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the saddle. This allows the position of the saddle to be pushed back a little when a load is picked up, balancing the load and the weight of the person around the connection point on the suspension device 3. This shifting device is preferably lockable by means of a lever similar to the height adjustment direction.

[0080] Furthermore, a fixing arm 29 can be provided with which the C-shaped frame is fixed. The fixing frame 29 can either be attached to a building wall or to a frame. The fixing arm 29 has a clamping collar 30 with which the fixing arm can detachably hold the frame 4. This fixing frame 29 is used to temporarily fix the C-shaped frame or the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 so that a person whose sense of balance is greatly impaired can take a seat on the saddle 5 more easily. When this person is sitting on the saddle, the clamping collar 30 is released and he or she can then move with the support of the orthopedic standing and walking aid. In such a situation, the hand bow 18 is also preferably provided. The person can then hold on to the hand bow, which makes it easier to maintain balance on the orthopedic standing and walking aid.

[0081] The second exemplary embodiment shows that the orthopedic standing and walking aid 1 can be used in different variations. However, it is assumed that the design according to the first exemplary embodiment is most widely used in practice, since the design according to the first exemplary embodiment gives the user the most freedom.

[0082] In the exemplary embodiments explained above, the rail arrangement is designed to be attached to a building ceiling so that the user of the standing and walking aid can move freely in the area of rail arrangement 14 with reduced load on his/her legs.

[0083] Within the scope of the invention, the rail arrangement can be mounted on a framework so that it can be erected without a building. The framework can also be designed so as to be movable, so that the location of the rail arrangement can be easily changed. The means for moving the framework are preferably lockable, so that the position of the rail arrangement can be clearly determined.

[0084] The standing and walking aid described above can also be modified in such a way that it can be used as a vertical access aid 31 (FIG. 3). In the following, such an exemplary embodiment of a vertical access aid 31 is explained, wherein the same parts as with the standing and walking aid are marked with the same reference signs and are not explained again.

[0085] This vertical access aid 31 again has a C-shaped frame 4, a saddle 5 and a detachable connecting element 7, which acts as a suspension device. In this exemplary embodiment, the detachable connecting element is an eye in combination with a karabiner 32 to attach the vertical access aid 31 to a rope 33. The rope 33 can be lifted and lowered by means of a crane (not shown).

[0086] On a footrest 21, which is connected to the C-shaped frame 4 by means of a collar 16, rollers 34 are arranged laterally, which are mounted so as to be rotatable about a common horizontal axis. The rollers 34 preferably have a soft elastic surface. The rollers 34, for example, are made of rubber. This allows the rollers 34 to roll along a vertical wall without leaving marks on the wall.

[0087] The collar 16 can be adjusted by a short distance along the C-shaped frame 4 (double arrow 35). The C-shaped frame 4 is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the saddle post 11 of the saddle 5 in that section where the collar 16 is arranged. This allows the adjustment of the distance between the footrest 21 and the saddle 5 in the vertical direction as well as the adjustment of the distance between the footrest 21 and the saddle post 11 in the horizontal direction. Thus the distance between the saddle 5 and a wall can also be adjusted by adjusting the footrest 21 with respect to the C-shaped frame 4.

[0088] The footrest 21 together with the rollers 34 forms a guiding device for guiding the vertical access aid 31 along a vertical wall.

[0089] Alternatively or in addition to this guiding device, a further guiding device 36 can be arranged at the upper end of the C-shaped frame and has an approximately U-shaped bow 37 in plan view. The U-shaped bow 37 is equipped with a collar 16 at its bottom section of the U-shape, with which the guiding device 36 can be slidably attached to the upper end section of the C-shaped frame 4. The collar 16 and thus the guiding device 36 can be moved along a straight, approximately horizontal section of the C-shaped frame 4 (double arrow 38). A roller 39 is arranged at each free end of the bow 37. The rollers 39 are mounted so that they can rotate about a common, approximately horizontal axis so that they can roll along a vertical wall. The rollers 39 are preferably soft elastic rollers, especially rubber rollers, just like the rollers 34.

[0090] An eye 23 is attached to the C-shaped frame 4. This eye 23 is used to fasten a safety harness, especially a climbing harness.

[0091] The vertical access aid 31 can be raised and lowered vertically along a wall with a suitable crane. A person sitting on the saddle 5 can lift the vertical access aid 31 a little from the vertical wall by supporting himself/herself with his/her feet against the wall, so that the vertical access aid 31 can be moved slightly sideways. This allows the vertical access aid 31 to be raised or lowered along different paths along a vertical wall.

[0092] Both the vertical access aid 31 and the orthopedic standing and walking aids 1 described above can be attached to a crane with a swiveling arm, so that they can be moved a little in the horizontal direction by swiveling the swivel arm.

[0093] A vertical/alpine rope technology can also be used instead of a crane. An anchorage means known per se, such as an eye can be provided on the upper edge of the vertical wall, to which a rope is attached. The vertical access aid can be lowered gradually on this rope.